Our Pilates Mat Teacher Training Program starts soon
If you’ve considered teaching Pilates or maybe just want to take the program to learn and progress in your own body there is still time to register!! Contact Carey to learn more about the program details at 319.665.2499 or rcpilates1@gmail.com!
When did you start Pilates and what inspired you to start?
I started Pilates semi-privates with a friend years ago, but when I tripped over the dog and broke my hip in April 2016, all that stopped. I did everything that was recommended by the professionals to decrease the pain and get my range of motion, flexibility and balance back, but after 2 years of sequences of physical therapy, energy work, massage, Rolfing, nutrition, hot yoga, cardio and weight training, I was still limited and painful. My physical therapist recommended Pilates, and I had heard good things about Rivercity Pilates. I met with Carey and heard about the team she had assembled. I had a new hope that I could really get back to my baseline functioning and I decided to try.
How often do you practice Pilates and what type of sessions or classes have you been doing?
I started with private sessions with Shelley Mockler, backed up by Carey due to my crazy schedule, and adding in Sara for NRT and also yoga. After I got stronger, less painful and more confident, I began picking up an additional Pilates/Yoga class a week. I had the good fortune to retire in October, and now I am able to do classes at least 4 times a week, plus continuing my privates with Shelley.
What benefits or improvements have you noticed in your body and life from doing Pilates?
I am so grateful that Shelley, Sara, Carey, Nick, Nancy, Janee and all the other instructors who collaborate and build upon each other’s sessions to help me achieve my goals. I have made more progress in the last 8 months at Rivercity than I did with all the other therapies in the two years before I got here! I am now pain free, and have the strength and mobility to take a variety of Pilates equipment classes (except Reformer Jumpboard–but soon!), Yoga, and most recently, Barre and Pilates Mat class. I sleep better, I eat better (motivated by my physical progress), and I am calmer about the future.
Do you have a favorite exercise or piece of equipment (or both)?
I love the Tower and the Reformer, and of course I couldn’t do without the yoga blocks! The Cadillac has been the most interesting piece of equipment, and has allowed me to move in ways I did not think I could. I am not sure I will ever become adept at the OOV! The variety of equipment here is amazing. My previous studio had Reformers and a Cadillac, and I know that I would not have made the progress that I have without the team here and the equipment that they are so skilled in using.
What would you say to someone who is thinking about doing Pilates?
I would say take the leap and try it– if you don’t like it, you can always quit; but if you don’t try it, you will never know the benefits and the amazing personal gains that can be made at this studio. I started slow, and as I made progress, I was able to do more and now can’t imagine life without it!
Hearing how people found Pilates is one of my favorite things! Everybody’s journey is different and everybody has their own reasons for why Pilates has become important in their life. Brenda is just finishing up our Pilates Mat Teacher Training Program and I just loved her story of how she accidentally found it when her girlfriends convinced her to take a class!
How did you find Pilates?
Pilates came into my life over 18 years ago. It started as my girlfriend group said we needed to get out and do something. The group didn’t exercise past walking. We found a Pilates class at the YMCA. Really we went to the class as a joke. We laughed the entire way through class. You want us to use our core? You want us to be a Seal? The veteran Pilates classmates didn’t enjoy us very much. We never went back but strangely after my twins were born I remembered that class and how good it felt on my muscles and my stress. I bought the Windsor Pilates DVD series and started doing Pilates at home. Every time I practiced my muscles felt like they were uncoiling. My job is fairly stressful. At this point I still laughed at myself doing the Seal.
Fast forward to 2009 with stress at an all time high and I was struggling in my career. My company got me a business coach. The first meeting with the business coach he asked me what 3 things I do for stress relief. I laughed….. just get to the point and tell me what I needed to be a better leader at work. After much prodding I told him – Pilates. I had stopped doing Pilates for a couple years as I was too busy. I committed to doing Pilates 2 times per week. Once again my muscles started to uncoil, my stress level went down and I was handling things better at work. My career since then continues to grow. At work I am a much better employee when I am doing Pilates consistently and I feel so much better. When I go to Pilates class I don’t think like I am going to an exercise class. When I go to class it isn’t about how fast I can go to beat my neighbor. My thought process is I am going to reduce stress, treat my muscles well and stay limber as I age. In the past I suffered from terrible headaches on an almost daily basis and when I do Pilates (and no scrunching shoulders) the headaches are gone.
Last year I jumped into Pilates teacher training. Pilates has given me so much for stress management and I want to share what it has meant to me. I have twin 17 year olds and they will graduate this spring so Pilates teaching is in my future to fill the “free” time.
Sunday, December 9 at 3 pm with Carey Sadler
This Pilates inspired movement class will combine stretching, release work using small therapy balls and traditional Pilates exercises. We’ll explore how movement can be used as a self care tool to help you feel better in your body and specifically your back. You’ll leave class feeling less stiff, more mobile, and with a new understanding of how you can use movement to empower how your back and body to feel on a regular basis! No Pilates experience is necessary and beginners are welcome! This is a free Life Inspired community class!
When did you start Pilates and what inspired you to start?
I was looking for a way to increase my strength so that I could continue practicing and teaching yoga. I was struggling with some of the more challenging yoga poses I had been able to do when I was younger but as I got closer to 60 I just didn’t have the strength.
How often do you practice Pilates and what type of sessions or classes have you been doing?
I try to take as many classes as I can. Sometimes that’s four times a week and sometimes it’s only two. Four times is always my goal because I feel the most benefit for me personally. I definitely feel as though I’m building at four and maintaining at two. I always book the reformer classes.
What benefits or improvements have you noticed in your body and life from doing Pilates?
Do you have a favorite exercise or piece of equipment (or both)?
I love the reformer! Maybe it’s because I spend a lot of time on a mat in yoga but it is the class I always want to take. I also love working with props. I feel like it really teaches you a lot and helps you identify your weak spots.